workshops
SUMMER 2022
To register or inquire, click or call.
914.643.6573
Creative Writing
Fantasy. Sci-Fi. Realistic Fiction. Humor. Anything goes in this workshop where writers build and practice the skills needed to create strong, interesting characters whose stories are bursting to be told. We will read excerpts from published writers, engage in short writing challenges, and look at style, grammar and editing. Risk-taking and revision will be celebrated!
Two Offerings
Session 1
Dates: July 25 – July 29
Times: 11:00am – 3:00pm, plus at least two private writing conferences*
Session 2
Dates: August 1 – August 5
Times: 11:00am – 3:00pm, plus at least two private writing conferences*
For: 8th –12th grade students
Cost: $460
(5 maximum)
*Private sessions will be scheduled once workshop begins
Creative Personal Narratives
Your first overnight. Your first dive. That time you tasted raw oysters or got into trouble or felt betrayed.
Personal narratives are a lot of fun to write because they are about YOU, and no one knows more about you – what you think, feel, remember, wish – than you. This workshop is a fabulous opportunity for students to work on writing skills as they explore moments from their lives and tell their stories. Personal narratives combine essay with creative writing. The result is poignant, vibrant, introspective writing. Finding each writer's unique voice and helping them discover the larger impact of chosen moments is one of several goals. Because college essays are personal narratives, this is an excellent workshop to take prior to one's senior summer in order to develop voice and the comfort needed to explore and write about oneself.
Dates: August 8 – 12
Times: 11:00am – 3:00pm, plus at least two private writing conferences*
For: 8th -12th grade students
Cost: $460
(5 maximum)
*Private conferences will be scheduled once workshop begins
On-Demand Writing
Return to school this fall ready for all that on-demand writing. Learn and practice the skills and strategies needed to tackle any piece of on-demand writing with confidence. Whether it's the SAT, ACT, in-class essay, or plain-old homework, your child should feel at ease and in control when sitting down to write.
Dates: August 29 – September 2
Times: 4 – 5:30 pm
For: 9th –12th grade students
Cost: $225
(5 maximum)
Young Writers
MYSTERY at the Marmaduke
We'll bring the CREATIVE back to writing as we write mysteries. A variety of writing prompts will give writers the opportunity to explore story, character and language. We will also read excerpts from mysteries and discuss how authors create mood, develop character, and move a story forward. In true workshop style, writers will share their work and offer constructive feedback. We'll also work on specific grammar rules and organizational strategies. Having fun is a priority!
Dates: June 27 – July 1
Times: 10 am – 12 pm
For: 6th – 8th grade students
Cost: $275
(4 minimum; 8 max)
Young Writers
Reading as Writers
for kids who love to READ
Reading as a writer increases students' attention to detail, craft, character development, and language use. Students who read as writers tend to increase their reading comprehension because they are less likely to read only for plot. We'll shine a spotlight on the writer's craft as we read and discuss a short story each day, and then tackle creative writing prompts that force us to appreciate the magic that writers have created. Students will explore their thoughts and voices as they look closely at how writers explored theirs.
Dates: June 27 – July 1
Times: 4 pm – 5:30 pm
For: 6th – 8th grade students
Cost: $275
(4 minimum; 8 max)
Rising Seniors
The College Essay CRUSH
This two-day, six-hour college essay intensive will arm your senior with the skills and direct feedback needed to write an authentic, dazzling essay. Students will leave with solid drafts of the common app essay and an understanding of what they need to do in order to confidently hit SUBMIT. Show those colleges who you are. #Crushtheessay Click here to learn about private coaching opportunities.
Six Offerings
Session 1
Dates: June 29 & 30
Times: 1:00pm – 4:00pm*
Session 2
Dates: July 6 & 7
Times: 4:00 – 7:00pm*
Session 3
Dates: July 27 & 28
Times: 4:00pm – 7:00pm*
Session 4
Dates: August 10 & 11
Times: 4:00pm – 7:00pm*
Session 5
Dates: August 30 & 31
Times: 11:00am – 2:00pm*
For: Rising Seniors
Cost: $350
(6 maximum)
Session 6
Dates: September 10 & September 11
Times: 11:00am – 2:00pm*
For: Rising Seniors
Cost: $350
(6 maximum)
*Each participant gets one follow-up feedback/editing exchange with Wordcraft owner Wendy Fried
Writer's Workout
Have an intense and fun writing workout each day. This week is for teens who want to work on the craft of writing. We will engage in a variety of short activities in order to condition and strengthen overall writing skills. From personal narratives to reader response to editorials to film reviews to persuasive arguments, an assortment of writing challenges will give writers the chance to hone their writing and thinking. Editing skills and grammar rules will be taught.
Two Offerings
Session 1
Dates: July 11 – July 15
Times: 4:30 – 6:30
Cost: $300
Session 2
Dates: August 15 – August 19 (five days)
Times: 4:30 – 6:30
For: 8th grade – entering college freshmen
Cost: $300
(5 maximum)
The College Essay LAB
Three hours of quiet, focused, supervised time to help your senior MOVE FORWARD. One of our coaches will be here to field questions, prioritize tasks, ease anxiety, and have private writing conferences. This is for seniors who already have working drafts of their common app essay, are ready to revise, and also tackle supplemental essays.
Come for 1, 2 or all 3 hours.
Cost: $45/hr.
$125 for all 3
LAB 1: Saturday, September 17 | 10am – 1pm
LAB 2: Saturday, September 24 | 10am – 1pm
LAB 3: Sunday, October 2 | 1pm – 4 pm
Creative Writing
Fantasy. Sci-Fi. Realistic Fiction. Humor. Anything goes in this workshop where writers build and practice the skills needed to create strong, interesting characters whose stories are bursting to be told. We will read excerpts from published writers, engage in short writing challenges, and look at style, grammar and editing. Risk-taking and revision will be celebrated!
Dates: Six Wednesdays: 9/21, 9/28, 10/12, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31
Times: 5:30 – 7:00
For: 8th – 11th grade students
Cost: $275
(4 minimum; 8 max)
*Private conferences will be scheduled once workshop begins
Teen Novelist Intensive
Our ongoing writers' group
This intimate intensive is for teen writers already with longer works in progress. We will meet weekly to discuss each other's work, offer honest feedback, and work through the many stumbling points of the writing process. Each writer will meet individually with a coach in addition to the weekly group meeting. In addition to working regularly on their own writing, writers are required to read each other's work each week in order to help their peers move forward.
Dates: 6-week session, TBA
Time: 2 hours + private coaching sessions, scheduled separtely
Cost: $425
One-Night Writes!
Join our creative writing series. Each Friday workshop will have a different theme. All workshops focus on developing craft, honing skill, and encouraging risk taking. Sign up for individual or all workshops.
Fridays, 6-8:30
Cost: $75 per workshop
Teens only
All Dates TBA
All Things CREEPY
Dark shadows, spooky noises, creaks and squeaks in the night. The fall is brimming with wonderfully sinister things, and we love it. We’ll hone writing skills by exploring the creepy writings of others and then by jumping into our own.
Twisted Holiday Stories
The holiday season brings out the wacky and wonderful in everyone. Writers will focus on compelling storytelling as they explore character development and conflict. We'll share and offer feedback, as well as read holiday stories by David Sedaris, Rainbow Rowell, David Levithan, and more.
The Heart is a Badass Hunter
This workshop will give writers the opportunity to have fun with Valentine and romantic tropes. We're going to focus on crafting stories that twist, warp, and smash those romanticized romantic notions.
FALL 2022
"With her encouraging and thoughtful demeanor, Wendy brought out the best in me as a writer, reader, and thinker."
--Noah, Chappaqua, New York
"Wendy taught me how to transform my scattered thoughts into a flowing personal narrative that spoke true to me. Between brainstorming, writing, and editing, she elevated my abilities as both a thinker and a writer while also helping me navigate this critical college application process. I am so thankful for her help in getting into my first choice school."
-Eddie Tu
Pleasantville High School
Harvard University
Not only does Wendy instill the zest for writing, but she somehow weaves in style, grammar, structure, and composition. Wendy gave my daughter a direction, passion, confidence, and most importantly, a voice.
-Erin Sheridan
Briarcliff Manor, New York
“Wendy was instrumental in helping me focus my college essay. From the jumble of ideas that was my first draft she helped me organize my thoughts and figure out what I wanted to say and how best to say it. She never just told me what to write, she helped me figure out how to say what I wanted to say. My essay came together really well and kept a strong consistent narrative voice throughout thanks to her.”
— Julia, Masters School
Oberlin College
"Once I started actually writing- pen to paper- the words just started flowing."
-Patrick Doherty,
Wesleyan University, Class of 2023
"Writing became FUN again! The creative mood and feeling of safety to try different types of writing and then actually share it is something I'll always be grateful to Wordcraft for."
-Ella F.
Rye Brook, N.Y.
"When I began to brainstorm [my college essay] in July, I was overwhelmed, terrified, and uninspired. After one meeting, I had a multitude of fantastic original ideas that not only displayed my college-worthy qualities, but did so with humility. I came to Wordcraft with a mosh of rough drafts and unfinished sentences and you were able to guide me to polish my misaligned sentiments into a beautiful essay."
-Mia Dillon,
Pleasantville, N.Y.
"I was pretty annoyed when my mom signed me up for a Writer's Workout in the middle of the summer, but I had so much fun and learned grammar rules I had never heard about before. My writing got stronger little by little. It was cool when I started to prep for the SATs and realized that I knew a lot of the rules already because of my Wordcraft workshop."
-Daniel W,
Chappaqua, N.Y.
"I was really nervous and quiet on the first day! By the middle of the week, I didn't want the workshop to ever end. I took creative writing, which focused on character development and storytelling, but the skills I learned helped me with all my writing once school started."
-Sarah L.
Ossining, New York
adults
Women Writing Among Women
Creative Personal Narratives
Whether it's about motherhood or menopause, the decisions to work, stay home, change careers, or figure out what we want to do when we grown up; about being single, newlywed, or married for decades; or about life as a female (and all that entails!), you will have the opportunity to explore your experiences, thoughts, and skills in this intimate group. This workshop is a fabulous opportunity for experienced and novice writers to stretch their skills as they explore moments from their lives and tell their stories while connecting with other women. Personal narratives combine essay with creative writing. The result is poignant, vibrant writing that celebrates the writer. Finding each writer's unique voice and helping her discover the larger impact of chosen moments is one of several goals.
For: All women regardless of age or experience
Dates: Six Thursdays, 2-hour sessions, starting in November. Dates and Times TBA
Price: $340
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Personal, creative challenges, when it's right for your child (or for you).